20 Intriguing Songs About Landforms | Playlist 🎧

1. 5 Seconds of Summer, “Red Dessert”

💿 CALM • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2020

“Tell me, would you pack up all your bags, stay true to North? You’re the only one I’d do this for.” 🎵 “Red Desert” commences 💿 CALM with incredible energy – definitely the way to kick off an album (and our topological compendium).  Here, 🎙 5 Seconds of Summer straddle pop and rock pretty well; there’s a nice balance stylistically.  Some of the biggest selling points beyond energy include the production (🎛 Matthew Pauling), expressive vocals, and respectable songwriting. 

One of the very best moments is the catchy, memorable chorus:

“Red, red desert, heal our blues
I’d dive deeper for you
What a blessing to feel your love
Twilight moments with you.”

2. DJ Khaled, “Holy Mountain”

Ft. Buju Banton, Sizzla, Mavado & 070 Shake

💿 Father of Asahd • 🏷 Epic • 📅 2019

“We the Best Music / DJ Khaled!” 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 DJ Khaled dropped 💿 Father of Asahd in 2019. Thankfully, compared to the album preceding it (💿 Grateful), he didn’t find it necessary to give listeners 90 minutes of music.  Still, with a couple of exceptions, such as the Grammy-winning 🎵 “Higher” and the song at hand, 🎵 “Holy Mountain,” Father of Asahd is more compilation than a polished, cohesive album. 

“Holy Mountain” commences Father of Asahd with a bang, period.  There’s lots to like or at a minimum, appreciate about the opener.  First and foremost, the production is epic, co-produced by 🎛 Major Seven.  Secondly, the Jamaican, reggae influence is ‘novel,’ but ultimately, endearing.  The featured artists on “Holy Mountain” are 🎙 Buju Banton (particularly notable given his legal troubles), 🎙 Sizzla, 🎙 Mavado, and rising star, 🎙 070 Shake.  070 Shake sounds particularly strong on the chorus, while the sample of 🎵 “One Spliff a Day” (🎙 Billy Boyo) is like the ‘cherry on top.’

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧  13 Holy Songs That Are Holy in Name Only

🔗 🎧  Mountain: 3BOPS No. 32 (2021)

3. The Weeknd, “The Hills”

💿 Beauty Behind the Madness • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2015

“I only love it when you touch me, not feel me / When I’m fucked up, that’s the real me…” Woo, woo, WOO! 🏆 Grammy winning Canadian R&B artist 🎙 The Weeknd had everybody on board with his 2015 album, 💿 Beauty Behind the Madness, which was chocked-full of hits.  That said, Beauty Behind the Madness isn’t a clean, family friendly album in the least.  A prime example of a huge hit being a bit edgy is the f-bomb laden, yet irresistible, dramatic slow jam, 🎵 “The Hills.”  

In 2015, everybody was singing that glorious chorus, which commences with the lyrics, “I only call you when it’s half past five.” Besides the memorable chorus, there were a number of reasons why this record shined.  First and foremost, the distinct, beautiful vocals by The Weeknd.  As always, he sings with great expression, truly selling the lyrics.  Also, the lyrics – well – they’re pretty strong, delivering a pretty compelling narrative (“Drivin’ through the gated residential / Found out I was comin’, sent your friends home / Keep on tryna hide it, but your friends know”).  Throw in elite production work (🎛 Illangelo and 🎛 Mano) and a tuneful melody to match those notable lyrics, and “The Hills” literally has ‘hit’ written all over it. 

“Hills have eyes, the hills have eyes
Who are you to judge? Who are you to judge?
Hide your lies, girl, hide your lies
Only you to trust, only you.”

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧  Hill: 3BOPS No. 33 (2021)

4. Lana Del Rey, “High by the Beach”

💿 Honeymoon • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2015

“All I wanna do is get high by the beach / Get high by the beach, get high…” Well, that seems pretty self-explanatory from the one-and-only, 🏆 Grammy-nominated alt-pop artist 🎙 Lana Del Rey. Those excerpted lyrics hail from the chorus of 🎵 “High by the Beach,” among the singles and highlights from Del Rey’s 2015 LP, 💿 Honeymoon.

Clearly, “High By The Beach” is characteristic Lana Del Rey, though compared to the songs that precede it on Honeymoon, it does provide contrast.  Part of that contrast at the time of release was that the record was more commercial.  Del Rey still has some bite, evidenced by the remaining lyrics that appear on the centerpiece, the chorus:

“The truth is I never bought into your bullshit
When you would pay tribute to me ‘cause I know
“All I wanted to do was get high by the beach
Get high, baby, baby, bye bye.”

Of course, the verses, as well as the bridge, craft the narrative.  Lana Del Rey has no use for him, evidenced bluntly on the second verse:

“You could be a bad motherfucker
But that don’t make you a man
Now you’re just another one of my problems.”

Hmm, no wonder Del Rey only wants to get “high by the beach.” As usual, this is quite the miserable record.

Also appears on 🔽:

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🔗 🎧  11 Summery Songs Loosely Associated with The Beach

5. Saccades, “Islands Past”

💿 Flowing Fade • 🏷 Fuzz Club • 📅 2021

🎙  Saccades (Nicholas Wood) drops an incredibly colorful, enjoyable, and trippy single, 🎵 “Islands Past”, the promo single for and opener for his 2021 album, 💿  Flowing Fade. “Islands Past” commences with a lovely evolving pad at the onset which definitely catches the ear.  There is a gorgeous instrumental background overall; quite a vibe that is cultivated, in the most alternative/psychedelic way possible.

The listener gets chilled-out vocals by Saccades; his subtler approach perfectly fits an alternative/psych aesthetic. Interestingly, there’s a nice use of an instrumental interlude of sorts, following the chorus:

“Please
Just
Let me dream
I’m older
now
And I can’t
Change.”

Continuing on, there’s brilliant contrast on the second verse.  Here, the instrumental pulls back, allowing more space for the vocals and more space in general.  Overall, “Islands Past” features excellent songwriting. The trippy nature of the lyrics, coupled with the colorful backdrop is definitely a win for Wood. Honestly, there are no glaring cons to be found.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧  Island: 5ive Songs No. 47 (2021)

6. Sam Smith, “My Oasis”

Ft. Burna Boy

💿  Love Goes • 🏷  Capitol • 📅  2020

On 🎵  “My Oasis”, a highlight from the 2020 album, 💿  Love Goes, 🏆 Academy Award and Grammy winning pop artist 🎙  Sam Smith updated their sound. 🎛  ILYA and 🎛  Jimmy Napes provide a contemporary backdrop, yet Smith remains soulful, flaunting off incredible, nuanced pipes. “Oh, babe, I really need you / My feelings gettin’ deeper,” they sing, continuing, “My mind is in a free fall / But there’s nothing I can do when it comes to you.”

“Oh, babe, I really need you
My feelings gettin’ deeper
My mind is in a free fall
But there’s nothing I can do when it comes to you.”

Sam loves – or hates – love depending on the song.  Here, they need love, but instead, there’s nothing more than an oasis – and illusion of what is really desired and needed.  🎙 Burna Boy supports Smith’s feelings on the second verse, echoing much of the same happenings. Perhaps “Oasis” doesn’t crown Smith’s rich catalog, but it’s a pleasant and well-rounded addition.

7. Father John Misty, “So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain”

💿  Pure Comedy • 🏷  Sub Pop • 📅  2017

“So the longer I stay here / The longer there’s no future / So I’m growing old on magic mountain…” 🏆  Grammy-winning alternative musician 🎙 Father John Misty (Josh Tillman) delivers a demanding but exceptional album with 💿  Pure Comedy (2017).  Tillman ranks among the most gifted songwriters in modern times, able to blend the serious, the humorous, and the satirical seamlessly.  He definitely works his magic on Pure Comedy, including the lengthy, 10-minute-long penultimate number, 🎵 “So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain.”

“As if it’s any time but the present / So for now, every young thing in my path / I’ll hold their face so long inside my hands.” Essentially, “So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain” finds Father John Misty desiring to hold onto youth as long as possible, evidenced by the aforementioned lyrical excerpt from the second verse. He knows its impractical, but he’s clinging onto it as long as he can.  Later, on the third verse, he sings: “These days the years thin till I can’t remember / Just what it feels like to be young forever.”  “So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain” previously appeared on

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧  13 Songs Where the Magic is Legit

🔗 🎧  Mountain: 3BOPS No. 32 (2021)

8. Ed Sheeran, “Castle on the Hill”

💿 ÷ (Divide) • 🏷  Atlantic • 📅  2017

“And I miss the way you make me feel, and it’s real / We watched the sunset over the castle on the hill.” 🎵 “Castle on the Hill” is one of the best songs from 💿  Divide, the third studio album by 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 Ed Sheeran. The record embraces a singer-songwriter, pop/rock sound.

Sheeran, who co-writes with 🎼✍ 🎛  Benny Blanco, superbly constructs a narrative and autobiographical approach, particularly on the verses:

“When I was six years old, I broke my leg
I was running from my brother and his friends
And taste the sweet perfume of the mountain grass I rolled down
I was younger then, take me back to when I...”

The chorus – excerpted at the top – is the selling point, as he delivers enthusiastic, energetic vocals.  Beyond thoughtfully composed verses and chorus, the bridge is also incredibly strong.

“One friend left to sell clothes
One works down by the coast
One had two kids but lives alone
One’s brother overdosed
One’s already on his second wife
One’s just barely getting by
But these people raised me
And I can’t wait to go home.”

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧  13 Songs About Buildings, Real or Imagined

🔗 🎧  Castles… Palaces: 5ive Songs No. 18 (2020)

🔗 🎧  11 Songs About Castles, Kingdoms, Palaces & Such

🔗 🎧  Hill: 3BOPS No. 33 (2021)

9. Fleet Foxes, “Shore”

💿 Shore • 🏷 Anti • 📅 2020

Seattle indie-folk collective 🎙 Fleet Foxes returned in 2017 with 💿 Crack-Up following a six-year-hiatus. Crack-Up, of course, was one of the best, as well as most complex albums in 2017.  Returning three years after its release, similar to the gap between Fleet Foxes (2008) and Helplessness Blues (2011), the band’s fourth album, 💿  Shore, feels less complex.  Sure, it’s true to the thought-provoking 🎙 Robin Pecknold, but also feels more ‘down to earth.’ Like Crack-Up in 2017, Shore ranks among the 🎧  best albums of 2020.

Fittingly, Shore concludes with 🎵 “Shore.” At least to some extent, the song is inspired by a personal experience by Pecknold (a bad surfing experience per Apple Music).  Furthermore, there are interesting references, including late musicians (John Prine and David Berman), ‘Clementine,’ and obscure mention of the quarter moon, which the Geniuses have linked with the album’s release date.  Sigh, only with Fleet Foxes folks!

10. Agnes Obel, “Island of Doom”

💿  Myopia • 🏷  Deutsche Grammophon • 📅  2020

“But I know you with a heartbeat / So how does the night feel? / When the lights fade out / … But now it’s gone, it’s gone, it’s gone…” 🎵 “Island of Doom” appears on 💿 Myopia, the 2020 studio album by 🎙 Agnes Obel. “Island of Doom,” which runs five-and-a-half minutes in length, is quite a compelling, hypnotic record.  “Destiny made her way and found you in a room,” Obel sings, continuing, “They told me, they told me / To undo the rule of mind and body…”   

The lyrics are quite poetic and incredibly thoughtful.  Of course, the lyricism contributes to the haunting quality of this chamber pop record, despite the fact that it’s set in a major key.  Worth noting, ‘doom’ itself isn’t mentioned explicitly until the bridge (“…For the road of your mind will eat you up / On your island of doom”).

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧  13 Gripping Songs Filled with Doom

🔗 🎧  Fate: 3BOPS No. 6 (2021)

🔗 🎧  Island: 5ive Songs No. 47 (2021)

11. Isaac Dunbar, “woman on the hills”

💿 cBalloons don’t float here • 🏷  Isaac Dunbar • 📅  2019

“Don’t turn your back when you’re near / The woman on the hills / Taking photographs of you / Taking ahold of you.” 🎙 Isaac Dunbar intrigues on 🎵 “Woman on the Hills,” which appears as the second track on his 2019, eight-song project, 💿 balloons don’t float here. Dunbar wrote and produced “Woman on the Hills” – pretty impressive for a teenager.

The aforementioned lyrics hail from the chorus, which continues as follows:

“Don’t laugh or craft when you’re near
The woman on the hills
She needs more from you
She needs less of you.”

Sigh. Of “Woman on the Hills,” Dunbar told Apple Music that “‘The woman on the hills’ is a metaphor for Hollywood in a sense – someone who might want to change you for their own benefit. For me, it kind of has to do with the music industry, but it can apply to you.”  The music industry side seems to seep through the lyrics from the second half of the brief second verse:

“She found me and tore me apart
And told me for the millionth time.”

Of course, both verses lead to a very telling section, the pre-chorus, where ‘the woman on the hills’ (fame), urges him “Take the whole world by the throat / Boy, you have something no one else has got…” Vocally, Dunbar sounds great.

Also appears on 🔽 :

🔗 🎧  15 Marvelous Songs About Women

🔗 🎧  Hill: 3BOPS No. 33 (2021)

12. Greyson Chance, “Lakeshore”

💿 Portraits • 🏷 GCM / AWAL • 📅 2019

After releasing a five-song EP in 2016 (💿 Somewhere Over My Head), pop artist 🎙 Greyson Chance returned with his full-length sophomore album, 💿 Portraits. At 12 tracks/34 minutes, Chance delivers a tight, highly enjoyable comeback effort. Topics encompassed over the course of Portraits include identity, love, and his roots. So, what song do we highlight on this topographically driven list? That would be 🎵 “Lakeshore”.  Yep, that covers both the lake and the shore!

“Lakeshore” concludes Portraits, commencing with dreamy production and a heaping does of ripe falsetto. The topic on Chance’s mind in this particular instance is love. Interestingly, the bridge (or post-chorus) recalls an earlier song on Portraits (🎵 “Bleed You Still”) at least in some respects:

“And if that fire’s to fade, I won’t leave you in the blue
And if that feeling dies, don’t lose sight, you felt it too
You say it’s rapture now, I don’t like feeling so used
And when those choirs fade, I’ll keep standing up for you.”

13. GIVĒON, “The Beach”

💿 When It’s All Said and Done… Take Time • 🏷 Epic • 📅 2021

🎵 “The Beach,” which originally appeared on Take Time (2020), the 🏆 Grammy-nominated EP by 🎙 GIVĒON (Giveon Evans).  It reappeared on his 2021 compilation album, 💿 When It’s All Said and Done… Take Time.  So, is he referring to the place that can be considered paradise? Well, not necessarily, particularly if you listen to the into performed by his mom: “I don’t know if it was fireworks or gunshots, but the birds is in the air.” Uh-oh!

On “The Beach,” GIVĒON references the place where he grew up, Long Beach, California, which has had some sketchy history at times.  He responds to his mother on the first verse, referencing that lack of safety, and notably throwing lust into the mix as well: “Lust, guns, drugs, violence.”  On the second verse, he continues to highlight the rough-n-tumble ‘562,’ incorporating love into the mix (“Hop into the whip, we can go skrrt / Show you the city that made me like this”). On the chorus, he never mentions ‘The Beach’ explicitly, singing, “Oh, won’t let you go, go, go,” referencing his love. On the bridge, he also focuses on the state of the relationship.  Closing out “The Beach” we get an interlude performed by his mom, with ad-libs by him, followed by an outro. “The Beach” is lushly produced by 🎛 Boi-1da, 🎛 Los Hendrix, and 🎛 Yakob.

14. Adele, “River Lea”

💿 25 • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2015

“Everybody tells me it’s ‘bout time that I moved on / That I need to learn to lighten up and learn how to be young…” 💿 25, released in 2015, earned 🎙 Adele her second 🏆 Album of the Year trophy from the Recording Academy (💿 21, released in 2011, took home the award previously).  The most decorated song from 25 was rightfully number one hit single, 🎵 “Hello”. That said, the song that fits this landform driven list, 🎵 “River Lea,” also ranks among the elite moments of the LP.

“...But my heart is a valley, it’s so shallow and manmade
I’m scared to death if I let you in that you’ll see I'm just a fake.”

Adele wrote “River Lea” alongside Brian Burton, perhaps better known as 🎼✍ 🎛 Danger Mouse.  The resulting lyrics and music are nothing short of awesome, as to be expected from Adele and Burton – they’re great at what they do!  River Lea itself references a river located in England, where Adele grew up.  In the context of the song, Adele struggles with moving beyond her roots and the past.

“Oh, it’s in my roots, in my veins
In my blood and I stain every heart that I use to heal the pain
So, I blame it on the River Lea, the River Lea, the River Lea.”

15. Martin Garrix, “Ocean”

Ft. Khalid

🎵 “Ocean” • 🏷  Epic • 📅  2018

Dutch DJ and EDM producer 🎙 Martin Garrix continued to build an impressive resume in 2018.  He returned with a brand-new single, 🎵 “Ocean”, featuring 🏆 Grammy-nominated, R&B wunderkind, 🎙 Khalid.  When you put Garrix and Khalid together, the result is nothing short of brilliance.

Garrix, alongside Surinamese-Dutch DJ 🎛 Giorgio Tuinfort, assembles a lovely backdrop for Khalid to sing over. The backdrop includes lush, heartfelt strings.  As for Khalid, in addition to singing in his golden middle register, he also gives us some falsetto.  Expectedly, he nails the ‘head voice’ like a pro. “Ocean,” a record that centers around love, is gorgeous all around with the production, singing, and songwriting all on-point.

“You could put an ocean between our love, love, love
It won’t keep us apart
You could build a wall, I would run it up, up, up
Just to get to your heart
If we’re caught in a wave
Baby, we’ll make a way
You could put an ocean between our love, love, love
It won’t keep us apart.”

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧  13 Songs That Reference Water, Vol. 1

16. Highly Suspect, “Canals”

💿 MCID • 🏷 300 Entertainment • 📅 2019

For fans who enjoy the angst filled side of 🏆 Grammy-nominated collective 🎙 Highly Suspect, 🎵 “Canals”, the third single from 💿 MCID, arrives in just the nick of time.  Here, the guitars arrive in roaring fashion.  Furthermore, there are some synths in the mix as well.

“Bitch, you look so damn freaked
You can’t eat, you can’t sleep, you can’t speak
You wanna scream ’fuck the police’
But the words are getting stuck behind your teeth...”

Most importantly, however, ‘gives no fucks’ front man 🎙 Johnny Stevens delivers an expressive, profane vocal performance that definitely embodies the spirit of rock and roll.  Uniquely, “Canals” features a Swahili choir on the bridge section, which provides a change of pace and eliminates predictability. Following the bridge, the band returns to its hard rocking ways. Of course, on the chorus Johnny makes it clear, “I don’t fucking care if you fucking care / ‘Cause I’m gonna live forever so you better be prepared.” O…K…

17. Fall Out Boy, “Young Volcanoes”

💿 Save Rock and Roll • 🏷  Island • 📅  2013

🎵 “Young Volcanoes” is marks one of the best titles from 💿 Save Rock and Roll, the 2013 studio album by 🎙 Fall Out Boy.  The title alone provides a mental image as to what the song entails.  Unsurprisingly, if your idea was about being a ‘firecracker’ of sorts, well, your interpretation would be 100% correct.

On the Chorus, singer 🎙 Patrick Stump sings:

“We are wild
We are like young volcanoes
We are wild
Americana exotica
Do you wanna feel beautiful baby yeah...”

Way to shout out those landforms, Pat! Perhaps the best line of this volcanic number? “We will teach you how to make boys next door out of assholes…” Um, okay… sure…

18. Florida Georgia Line, “Island”

💿  Dig Your Roots • 🏷  Big Machine • 📅  2016

🎵 “Island” serves as a highlight from 💿  Dig Your Roots, the 2016 album by country duo 🎙 Florida Georgia Line. “Island” features an alluring, enigmatic beginning. This slow jam bodes well in the duo’s favor. Well produced, the richness of the guitar is a selling point. As was often the case with early FGL, it employs country cues, yet also has crossover appeal.

The vocal production is a selling point as well. The vocals are clear and present within the mix. Lyrically, “Island” features a catchy chorus, always a lift:

“We might as well be on an island
Might as well be on the moon
The way you’re looking at me baby...”

Additionally, there’s plenty of repetition.  Enjoyable, albeit it brief, perhaps the biggest thing “Island” could’ve used is a few more seconds, potentially another full minute or so. Still, it’s a country vibe.

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧  Island: 5ive Songs No. 47 (2021)

19. Stryper, “Sea of Thieves”

💿 God Damn Evil • 🏷 Frontiers • 📅 2018

“Love is second to none / The brightest star up in the sky / The story’s just begun / And we’re not here to live to die.”  Christian metal band 🎙 Stryper are a perfect fit for this landform-driven list thanks to their song, 🎵 “Sea of Thieves.” “Sea of Thieves” appears on the band’s uniquely titled 12^th studio album, 💿 God Damn Evil.  Hmm… we’ll leave that at that.

As expected from a metal band regardless being religious or totally secular, “Sea of Thieves” is turned-up from the jump.  Set in a minor key, the guitars and bass “can’t be tamed” with their jagged, menacing nature.  Notably, on the chorus, “Sea of Thieves” throws a slight curve ball, embracing the bright and major.  Front man 🎙 Michael Sweet is ‘on’ to say the least, singing triumphantly:

“Stand
Stronger than an ancient tree
Grand
Is every promise we can’t see
Stand
Stronger than an ancient tree
Land
Is just beyond the open Sea of Thieves.”

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧 13 Songs That Reference Water, Vol. 1

20. Usher, “Moving Mountains”

💿 Here I Stand • 🏷 LaFace • 📅 2008

“‘Cause we will never be the same, ooh / I’ve been standing in gas and you have been the flame.” Woo! In 2008, 🏆 Grammy winning contemporary R&B artist 🎙 Usher had a herculean task on his hands: releasing the follow-up to his diamond certified masterpiece, 💿 Confessions.  It’s understandable why he waited years before daring to drop 💿 Here I Stand, a solid album but not the classic of the preceding LP.  Still, Here I Stand has a number of gems including the soaring, sleekly produced ballad, 🎵 “Moving Mountains.”

Collaborating with the formidable songwriting team 🎼✍ 🎛 Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, 🎼✍ Kuk Harrell, and 🎼✍ 🎛 Terius “The-Dream” Nash (Trick and The-Dream also produce), Usher has a dramatic and engaging material to work with.  Vocally, he sounds elite – honestly, he’s never sounded better.  He sells “Moving Mountains” incredibly.  The melody is tuneful and rhythmic, suiting his artistic strengths perfectly.  Conceptually/thematically, Usher imparts a tale where his girl ultimately stays with him after he cheated yet she’s incredibly angry and things are B-A-D.  Essentially, while Usher feels like he’s “moving mountains” to atone for his mistakes, it’s not sufficient.  That said, he knows he brought it on himself.

“I know sorries, just wouldn’t do it
Her heart is obliterated
I’m trying to get through
But it’s like moving mountains
It’s like moving mountains
But I keep climbing and hoping things would change
And the sky turns gray
And the water from the rain washes progress away
It’s like moving mountains
It’s like moving mountains.”

Also appears on 🔽:

🔗 🎧  Mountain: 3BOPS No. 32 (2021)